Why speed matters for contractors

Construction projects run on tight timescales and thin margins. A few days’ delay in funding for materials or to pay subcontractors can result in downtime, lost discounts, contractor penalties or reputational damage. Urgent equipment replacement — for example a broken excavator — can stop a jobsite overnight and push costs far beyond a simple hire charge.

Contractors typically need quick cash to:

• Purchase bulk materials to hit programme milestones
• Bridge gaps between stage payments and supplier invoices
• Replace or finance essential plant and tools quickly
• Pay labour during a slow payment cycle or when retentions delay cashflow

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Fast finance options that contractors use

Invoice finance

What it is: Unlock cash tied up in unpaid invoices. Lenders advance typically 70–90% of invoice value and collect from your debtor.

Speed: Same day to a few days once underwriting is complete; many specialist providers can onboard quickly for established businesses.

Best for: Contractors and sub-contractors who issue invoices to commercial clients or contractors and want predictable cashflow.

Pros/cons: Fast liquidity and improved cashflow; fees and discount rates reduce margin. Lenders will conduct checks on your debtors and business performance.

Short-term / bridging business loans

What it is: Short-duration loans, unsecured or secured, intended to plug immediate gaps (e.g., materials purchase, urgent labour costs).

Speed: Specialist lenders can sometimes fund in 24–72 hours for smaller unsecured amounts; secured bridging may take longer (days–weeks).

Best for: Urgent, one-off purchases or when you have a clear short-term repayment route.

Pros/cons: Fast access to cash but higher interest and fees; watch arrangement fees and early repayment terms.

Asset & equipment finance

What it is: Hire purchase, finance lease or equipment loans that let you acquire plant and pay over time — often with the asset as security.

Speed: For standard, off-the-shelf equipment, funds or delivery can be arranged in 24 hours–2 weeks depending on valuation and supplier processing.

Best for: Buying or replacing machinery without draining working capital.

Pros/cons: Preserves cash and may offer tax benefits; application requires equipment details and sometimes valuation checks.

Merchant cash advance / sales-based finance

What it is: A cash advance repaid by a percentage of future card/credit sales.

Speed: Very quick for businesses with card-turnover data — funds in 24–48 hours in many cases.

Best for: Contractors who receive significant card payments or have steady card-processed income.

Pros/cons: Fast but typically expensive compared with traditional loans; repayments flex with sales volume.

Purchase order / supplier finance

What it is: A financier pays your supplier directly against an approved purchase order so you can deliver without using your cash.

Speed: Can be fast if supplier and underwriter approve quickly — often a few days.

Best for: Contractors with large materials orders where supplier credit is needed to start production or delivery.

Construction & development finance

What it is: Larger facilities for development projects with staged draws against project milestones or valuations.

Speed: Typically slower — weeks to months — because of due diligence, valuations and security requirements. Not ideal for small urgent needs but essential for large builds.

What determines how quickly a contractor gets funds?

Several variables affect speed:

• Type of product: Invoice finance and MCAs are fastest; secured development finance takes longest.
• Lender/broker specialism: Specialist construction lenders move faster because they understand risks and documents required.
• Documentation: Prepared management accounts, invoices, POs and bank statements speed underwriting.
• Credit profile and trading history: Established limited companies with sector experience get quicker responses than complex or high-risk cases.
• Security required: Unsecured facilities are faster; anything needing property security will slow the process.

Documents commonly requested: company accounts (latest filed), recent management accounts, aged debtor ledgers/invoices, POs, bank statements, director ID and proof of address, and details of the project contract. Having these to hand reduces delays.

Typical timelines & realistic expectations

• Invoice finance: hours–1 day after onboarding and approval.
• Merchant cash advance: 24–48 hours for eligible businesses.
• Asset finance (standard equipment): 24 hours–10 days depending on supplier and valuation.
• Short-term / specialist bridging: 24 hours–2 weeks depending on security and lender checks.
• Large secured loans / development finance: 2–12+ weeks with staged draws.

Typical stages: enquiry → documents review → underwriting → decision/offer → legal/security (if needed) → drawdown. Faster routes skip or streamline the legal/security step but may cost more.

How UK Business Loans helps contractors get funding faster

We do not lend money — our role is to match contracting businesses with lenders and brokers who can meet their needs quickly. By using our introduction service you:

• Save time — we route your request to lenders who specialise in construction and fast turnaround.
• Improve your chances — we match you to partners who understand contractor cashflow cycles and typical documentation.
• Receive offers to compare — multiple providers often respond so you can choose the best terms.

How it works: complete our short enquiry (about 2 minutes) and we’ll match you to appropriate lenders/brokers. They’ll contact you with quotes and next steps — often within hours for urgent cases. Free Eligibility Check — Get Quote Now

We are an introducer (not a lender). We do not give regulated financial advice. Submitting an enquiry will not affect your credit score. By submitting you consent to your details being shared with lenders/brokers for the purpose of arranging finance.

Risks, costs and pitfalls to avoid

Fast finance can come at a price. Watch out for:

• High-cost options (merchant cash advances, some bridging) — always ask for APR or equivalent total cost of credit.
• Hidden fees and arrangement charges — request a full breakdown of fees and any early repayment penalties.
• Personal guarantees and security on property — understand the long-term implications before signing.
• Unscrupulous brokers — insist on written terms and proof of lender credentials.

Protect yourself: compare offers, request full cost illustrations, check lender history and ask for clear repayment schedules.

Short case studies

Case study A — Invoice finance speeds a project

An SME contractor won an £180k job but had £60k tied up in invoices. Invoice finance released £45k the same day, enabling the purchase of materials and timely completion of the project.

Case study B — Equipment finance prevents delay

A subcontractor’s excavator failed mid-job. An equipment hire-purchase arranged through an introducer allowed replacement delivery in five days, avoiding costly downtime and penalty clauses.

Frequently asked questions

Can I get funds the same day?

Yes — in many cases. Invoice finance, merchant cash advances and some specialist short-term lenders can release funds within hours to 48 hours for eligible businesses. Larger secured or development loans take longer.

Will applying affect my credit score?

Submitting an initial enquiry via our form will not affect your credit score. Lenders or brokers may perform credit checks later in the application process.

What documents will lenders ask for?

Commonly requested items: filed company accounts, recent management accounts, invoices and POs, bank statements, director ID and proof of address, and contract details. Having these ready speeds approval.

What minimum amount can be arranged?

Our partner panel typically arranges facilities from around £10,000 upwards for business loans and finance solutions.

How much does your service cost?

Our service is free for businesses. We earn a fee from partners after a successful introduction. You are under no obligation to proceed with any quote.

Final summary & next steps

Yes — contractors in the UK can often secure funding quickly for materials, labour and equipment if they choose the right product and prepare the right paperwork. For urgent needs consider invoice finance, merchant cash advances or asset finance; for larger projects use development or bridging finance understanding these take longer.

Start with a quick enquiry so we can match you to lenders and brokers who specialise in construction and fast turnaround. Get a Free Eligibility Check — Get Quote Now

We are an introducer (not a lender). We do not give regulated financial advice. Submitting an enquiry will not affect your credit score. By submitting you consent to your details being shared with our chosen lenders/brokers for the purpose of arranging finance. Terms, eligibility and rates depend on the lender; compare offers before proceeding.

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For more on general business loan options see our guide to business loans.